On Jan. 17, 2005, Matranga will become the associate superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District and depart from the San Jose Unified district after eight years of service.

Matranga said he looks forward to his new position.

"At this point, I am happy to be doing this," he said. "In a large district, you have certain areas for which you are responsible. In a smaller district, there is greater diversity of responsibility, and more hands-on work."

And although he is relocating to a district that is approximately one-third the size of the San Jose Unified School District, Matranga said his days of dealing with dwindling budgets are far from over.

"Budget cuts are a statewide issue," he said. "I'll go up to Palo Alto, and the first thing I'll work on is cutbacks due to declining revenue."

Matranga doesn't even plan to take a vacation before he begins his new job. He will be working in the San Jose district until Jan. 16, and plans to remain in touch with his interim replacement to ease the transition.

And according to San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Don Iglesias, the district is working hard to make the transition as smooth as possible.

"In the interim, I am talking to the board see if we should go forward with a full-on search for a replacement," he said. "And we will work with School Services, the foremost association for business officers. We'll likely do a search, which will take about 16 weeks."

According to San Jose Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Fuqua, Matranga notified the district of his impending departure on Nov. 11. The district is currently looking for an interim replacement, she said, and approval from the Board of Education to conduct a search for a permanent associate superintendent is pending.

In the meantime, Iglesias said, the district will locate an interim associate superintendent, most likely a retired business officer from outside the district who has experience in urban settings.

"With the tremendous challenges we face, we are looking for someone who is a pro," Iglesias said. "We will look for someone who has a proven track record, knows all the technological aspects, has strong interpersonal skills and can articulate to people both in the public and in the district."

But Iglesias also stated that the personnel change would not impact the district's efforts to maintain a balanced budget and provide quality education for students.

"We will remain focused and not lose any ground," he said. "We will find an experienced interim, likely a retiree from a large urban district, who can help us with the transition."

Although San Jose Unified School District director of finance Rosemarie Pottage acknowledged that Matranga's departure would present a challenge, she said, his impact will still be felt.

"Obviously, it creates a difficulty when someone in a high position leaves. Jerry is a key person in the district," she said. "But in any job, there are always changes. It's important to have a system in place so that the person leaving does not take all the knowledge with them. Jerry has contributed so much to the district. He set things into motion that the district will carry forward. That's his legacy."

San Jose Unified School District Board of Education trustee Carol Myers said she also appreciated the work Matranga has done for the district.

"Jerry has done an excellent job under trying circumstances," she said. "He has the best interest of kids and teachers at heart, and we will miss him."

Matranga said he was pleased with the challenges he has met over the course of his tenure with the district.

"I have accomplished the things I set out to do," he said. "We now have a facility master plan. When I came, there were three schools in poor condition—old River Glen, which is now Galarza, Empire Gardens and Horace Mann. I couldn't see children in those environments. We also have a technology plan to replace student and teacher's computers every four years."

And he added, "It's time for someone else to take the next step."

Matranga said he would like to see whomever replaces him to continue his efforts to secure a parcel tax for the district.

"It's critical to pass the parcel tax," he said. "The district is tremendously under funded. Whoever comes in will need to work with the board and community to see that it is passed. It's time."

And although he anticipates accomplishing new goals in a different district, Matranga said he will miss a district that has become a home to him over the years.

"It's a community I have come to appreciate," he said. "I have met some wonderful people here—staff, board members, students and parents. That's the hardest thing about leaving. But I am looking forward to a new place and a new set of challenges."

Matranga replaced Barry Schimmel in 1996. He had previously spent 16 years in the Cupertino Union School District, and worked as both a teacher and principal in Alameda County. He obtained his master's in educational administration from San Francisco State University and his master's in business administration from St. Mary's College.